VAL DEPARTS
Altrincham FC have issued the following press release:
Altrincham midfielder Val Owen (left) has decided to leave Moss Lane in a bid to play regular first team football in the twilight of his career. Owen has now recovered from a knee injury that he originally sustained in a pre-season game in July 2007, however with the increased quality in the Altrincham squad that has achieved a top half position in the Blue Square Premier, his chances of regular first team action are limited and he has decided to look for another club. Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote said 'We all need to say a big thank-you to Val, who has been an absolute role model for the four years that he has been with us. He played a massive part in helping the club achieve promotion to the Blue Square Premier in 2005 with two historic goals in the play-off semi-final at Kettering as well as scoring our second in the final at Stoke against Eastbourne Borough'.
Owen made 117 appearances for the Robins scoring nine goals and was a huge favourite with Altrincham fans.
With the current economic challenges, Altrincham are not in a position to replace the former Northwich, Hyde, Hednesford and Halifax midfielder in the short term.